Method of making sculpture

Abstract

A method of making sculpture which includes the use of relatively thin portions of natural stone such as alabaster, soapstone, and marble to utilize the transparent and translucent qualities of such stone. The method includes the steps of cutting the stone to overall desired configuration, and mechanically thinning desired portions to thickness varying from one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch in selected areas to present the desired degree of transparency or translucency.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application, Serial No.: 60/361,912, filed Mar. 5, 2002, to which a claim of priority is made.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of sculpture, and more particularly to an improved method for creating the same whereby certain parts or portions are rendered transparent, or at least translucent to create a unique appearance to the viewer.

[0003] Most sculptures are large, dense, and monochromatic, whether they are of stone, bronze, or wood. It is known in the art to add certain coloring to the sculpture by way of opaque mediums which essentially cover the exposed surface of the material.

[0004] Most natural stones are sufficiently dense in composition as to be essentially opaque, and are not particularly mechanically strong when cut or abraded to relatively thin section. It is commonly appreciated that certain types of natural stone, such as alabaster, soapstone and marble, are substantially less dense in physical structure, such that when sufficiently thin, they are capable of transmitting visible light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of an improved method for creating sculpture utilizing the above qualities of certain natural stone by reducing the thickness of pre-selected portions the sculpture to form areas sufficiently thin to permit the passage of light rays therethrough. If desired, these portions may be colored using water colors or other translucent coloring medium. If the sculpture is illuminated from below or behind the stone, it will glow, to further enhance the natural grain present in the stone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical structure made in accordance with the use of the disclosed method. The disclosed sculpture, generally indicated by reference character 10, may comprise a supporting base, a first planar member 12, and a second planar member 13, the members 12 and 13 being interconnected by a suitable adhesive (not shown).

[0009] The first member 11 may be of oval or circular planar configuration, bounded by a periphery 20, a forward surface 21, and a corresponding rearward surface (not shown). A colored medium 23 may be applied to selected areas using water colors or other suitable transparent or translucent mediums.

[0010] The second member 13 may be a representation of a cloud superimposed upon a representation of a sun or moon provided by the first member, and may be of an suitable composite material, typically copper ore which has been mixed with an epoxy adhesive and flattened to desired configuration. In the alternative, a second piece of transparent or translucent stone (not shown) may also be used.

[0011] The above-mentioned stones are usually commercially available in thicknesses ranging down to one-half inch. To form the first member, it is first cut to desired outline, and depending upon the density of the material, it is manually or mechanically abraded to a thickness which will provide the desired degree of translucence or transparency, this thickness normally being in the range of one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch.

[0012] The second member, as has been mentioned, may be formed from solid or particulate material and integrated using an epoxy adhesive, and after pressing and shaping to desired configuration, it is applied to the desired position upon the exposed surface of the first member.

[0013] In the disclosed embodiment, the transparency and/or translucency of the first member will be apparent to a viewer when displayed in ambient light. This effect may be enhanced by providing supplementary illumination placed behind or below the structure, or the positioning of the embodiment within a shadow box or similar enclosure.

[0014] Other variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, only selected portions of the stone material are thinned to the degree necessary to allow transparency or translucency, leaving the remaining portions relatively opaque. Combined members of the sculpture may comprise both opaque and transparent parts, depending upon the expression desired.

[0015] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the details of structure shown and disclosed, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Claims

1. The method of creating transparent and translucent sculpture comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least a generally planar member of naturel stone selected from the group consisting of alabaster, sandstone, and marble; and

b) mechanically abrading at least one area of said planar member to a thickness which will allow the passage of light therethrough.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, in which the degree of abrasion is sufficient to allow transparency in the abraded area.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, including the further step of assembling said at least one planar member with a second member to form a composite sculpture.

4. A stone sculpture comprising at least one planar member selected from the group consisting of alabaster, soapstone, and marble, said member being mechanically abraded over a selected area sufficient to allow passage of light therethrough.